United Launch Alliance is preparing to send another batch of Amazon's broadband satellites into orbit, with liftoff targeted for Thursday, July 2 from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The mission, designated LA-08 (Leo Atlas 8), will fly aboard an Atlas V 551 "Bruiser" configuration, powered by an RD-180 engine and boosted by five Northrop Grumman GEM-63 solid rocket motors.
Atlas' upper stage is a Centaur driven by a single RL10A-4-2 engine.
The payload was integrated onto the Atlas V ahead of the mission, continuing the steady cadence ULA has maintained for Amazon's constellation since deployment began.
This launch carries added weight because of regulatory pressure. Under its agreement with the Federal Communications Commission, Amazon must get at least half of its planned first-generation constellation of more than 3200 satellites operational by the end of July 2026.
Missing this target could result in LEO's authorization being reduced to whatever number of satellites are in use on the deadline date. With the FCC deadline just weeks away, LA-08 is one of several missions Amazon and its launch partners are racing to complete before the end of the month. With just over 300 satellites in orbit so far and New Glenn out of service for months to come, there is little hope to reach 1600 units in time. But in this case, every single satellite counts